Montana legalizes the consumption and possession of marijuana by adults over 21

• Montana voters supported two ballot initiatives concerning the legalization of marijuana use.
• Initiative No. 190 legalized the possession and use of marijuana by adults over the age of 21.
• Constitutional Initiative No. 118 amends the state constitution to allow the government to set a legal age for marijuana consumption.

Montana residents voted to legalize marijuana consumption for adults over 21.

Voters supported two initiatives on its ballot concerning marijuana legalization.

Initiative No. 190, or I-90, legalized the consumption and possession of marijuana by adults over the age of 21. I-90 passed with 56.6% of the vote, according to Decision Desk HQ.

The second initiative was Constitutional Initiative No. 118, or CI-118, which amended the state constitution to allow the government to set a legal age for consuming, possessing, or purchasing marijuana and alcoholic beverages. CI-118 passed with 57.7% of the vote, per Decision Desk HQ.

The text for Initiative No. 190, which legalizes the possession and use of marijuana products for adults over the age of 21, reads as follows:

I-190 legalizes the possession and use of limited amounts of marijuana for adults over the age of 21. I-190 requires the Department of Revenue to license and regulate the cultivation, transportation, and sale of marijuana and marijuana-infused products and to inspect premises where marijuana is cultivated and sold. It requires licensed laboratories to test marijuana and marijuana-infused products for potency and contaminants. I-190 establishes a 20% tax on nonmedical marijuana. 10.5% of the tax revenue goes to the state general fund, with the rest dedicated to accounts for conservation programs, substance abuse treatment, veterans' services, healthcare costs, and localities where marijuana is sold. I-190 allows a person currently serving a sentence for an act permitted by I-190 to apply for re sentencing or an expungement of the conviction. I-190 prohibits advertising of marijuana and related products.

Marijuana taxes and fees will generate about $48 million annually by 2025. Marijuana fees will fund program administration and enforcement. Marijuana taxes will contribute to the general fund and special revenue accounts for conservation, veterans' services, substance abuse treatment, healthcare, and local governments. The general fund will net $4 million.

The text for Constitutional Initiative No. 118, which amends the state constitution to set a legal age for marijuana consumption, purchase, and possession, reads as follows:

Under the Montana Constitution, a person 18 years of age or older is an adult, except that the legislature or the people by initiative may establish the legal age of purchasing, consuming, or possessing alcoholic beverages. CI-118 amends the Montana Constitution to allow the legislature or the people by initiative to establish the legal age for purchasing, consuming, or possessing marijuana.